§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what monitoring systems are installed at No. 2 pile at Windscale to safeguard against a release of Wigner energy; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether any attempt was made to anneal or remove the stored Wigner energy in the No. 2 pile at Windscale; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerControlled releases of Wigner energy were made at intervals while Windscale No. 2 pile was in operation, but none has been attempted since 1957510W when it was closed down and defuelled. This energy could be released in significant quantity only by substantial heating of the pile; there are no credible circumstances in which such heat could be generated inadvertently. Nevertheless, temperatures are monitored continuously using instruments positioned in the outlet ducts.